Monday, 20 May 2013

Hunter Johnson - Angel Of Greatness

Single review by kev@thesoundofconfusion.co.uk

Hunter Johnson is a US artist, and you'd be hard-pushed to imagine this music coming from any other country (barring poor imitation of course). From South Dakota but now based in Phoenix, Arizona, Johnson makes alt-rock that shares the same blue-collar DNA with the likes of Springsteen, The Gaslight Anthem and so on. The latter would be the closest comparison, as 'Angel Of Greatness' shares the punk bite that that band have used to become so highly regarded. We should know more come August when his album is released, but the single bodes well.

Cliches are only cliches if they're used out of context, and this track is about packing up and hitting the road to leave a failed relationship. Something which works in the expanses of the US, but probably not if you're from Luton. So despite the familiar storyline, Johnson makes this song work with the sheer passion and determination in his voice which is at full stretch, adding quite a force. The music doesn't hold back either. This is US alt-rock that falls apart if the passion and authenticity are lacking. Both are firmly intact here.